Carlin INDYCAR driver Patricio O’Ward joins Red Bull Junior Team (3rd Update)

IndyCar had better act fast on the Mexico City race and securing O'Ward in a top ride, or risk kissing him Goodbye to F1

UPDATE Patricio O’Ward is at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Saturday and is scheduled to meet with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko to discuss next steps toward a move to F1.

His Red Bull backing does not include buying any rides in IndyCar, it is only to get him a test in F1 and if he shows promise then probably more.

O'Ward is reported to have no backing from Mexico and Carlos Slim, but if he makes it to F1, look for that to change. However, if the Mexico GP goes away as reported, O'Ward's F1 dreams will likely take a big hit.

O'Ward's crash at Indy plus the fact he did not qualify for the race and win any money means unless he finds more sponsorship elsewhere, the remainder of his season in IndyCar is now in doubt.

“Obviously, my crash at Indy didn’t help, and starting the year as late as we did, we didn’t have much time to find more money," O’Ward told RACER. “We didn’t have a comfort zone to fall back on, so our budget is very tight. We have to find more backing to continue."

05/16/19 Speaking to Autosport, O'Ward believes an opportunity in F1 could be on the cards.

"Things moved pretty fast," O'Ward said. "There might be a [F1] chance soon.

"I'm very proud of what I've managed, but I also want to thank Trevor Carlin because he opened the door to IndyCar for me, and that opened the door to F1.

"It's something very big, but I'm ready, I have faith in what I can do. We know that if I get the results, I have what it takes to reach F1, arrive and succeed.

"The idea is to go straight into F1."

O'Ward has made five IndyCar starts so far and impressed on his debut in the 2018 season finale at Sonoma by finishing ninth.

The Carlin driver says his IndyCar efforts were what led to him being contacted by Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko.

"Everything happened because of Helmut Marko's interest," said O'Ward.

"He called me mid-April, he wanted to know me.

"I met him, he asked me several questions, he wanted to sign me. They sent me a contract and basically, they hired me.

"This is something big, and for now after the Indy 500 I only have road races in IndyCar, so we have to see what options come up from F1.

"It was a chance too big to miss, to be able to move to F1. The difference is that often the window to enter F1 is not as big as it is with IndyCar.

"Now the doors [to F1] are open, I want to focus on having good races and, in the future, be able to return to IndyCar [after a stint in F1]. You never know what's going to happen."

IndyCar can kiss Patricio O'Ward Goodbye. He will be off to F1 before long.

05/10/19 IndyCar can forget about a race in Mexico City. Their potential Mexican star driver will soon be snatched away by F1.

"Things moved pretty fast," O'Ward told Autosport. "There might be a [Formula One] chance soon. I'm very proud of what I've managed, but I also want to thank Trevor Carlin because he opened the door to IndyCar for me, and that opened the door to F1.

"It's something very big, but I'm ready, I have faith in what I can do. We know that if I get the results, I have what it takes to reach F1, arrive and succeed. The idea is to go straight into F1."

Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost said there is an obvious reason to give O'Ward a chance to excel in F1.

"We would be more than happy to have him in Toro Rosso, because this would increase the interest of [North] American fans for F1, which we need, because, as you know, [F1 owner] Liberty Media is pushing," Tost told Sky Sports. "To really increase the interest we need a national hero."

05/09/19 Carlin’s Patricio O’Ward was announced today as the newest member of the Red Bull Junior Team. The 20-year-old rookie, who has proved to be one of the most exciting drivers this season in the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series, will follow in the footsteps of several young talented drivers as he joins the Red Bull Junior program.

“We’re delighted that Pato’s potential has been recognized by the Red Bull Junior Team, a program that has helped incredibly talented drivers in the past. Whatever Pato’s future holds we know he has a successful and exciting career ahead of him," commented Team Principal Trevor Carlin.

“Together with Pato and the entire Carlin INDYCAR team we are very much focused on the season ahead and of course the Month of May. This is without doubt our most intense month of the year and the Indianapolis 500 remains the absolute jewel in the crown of all motorsport. Pato and the rest of the team are determined to make the most of our continued development and improvements on and off track and claim the best result possible."

O’Ward will join teammate Max Chilton this weekend for the INDYCAR Grand Prix before beginning a week of practice in preparation for qualifying and his debut at the 103^rd Running of the Indianapolis 500.